The Price

Trama

Data Stellare 43385.6: I delegati della Federazione, dei Ferengi, dei Caldoniani, il Primo Ministro di Barzan Bhavani e il rappresentante dei Chrysalians, sono a bordo dell'Enterprise per negoziare l'uso di un fenomeno naturale fino ad allora ritenuto pericoloso e incontrollabile: il primo e unico wormhole stabile conosciuto. Una sonda lanciata dentro il wormhole rimanda i suoi segnali da milioni di anni luce: l'uscita del condotto si trova apparentemente in un settore raggiungibile in centinaia di anni con i normali motori a curvatura. Nonostante il generale entusiasmo il negoziato si rivela difficile, a causa della diffidenza dei delegati e della strana influenza del rappresentante dei Chrysalians, Devinoni Ral.

In questo episodio...

Vengono usate per la prima volta le prime quattro lettere dell'alfabeto greco per indicare i quattro quadranti in cui è stata suddivisa la nostra galassia.
Viene introdotto anche l'amore di Deanna Troi per il cioccolato, tema che sarà poi ripreso in Deja Q, The Game, Violations, Imaginary Friend, Man of the People, Liaisons e Parallels.

YATI

Deanna Troi legge nella mente del DaiMon Goss, un Ferengi, sebbene sia stato stabilito che ciò non era possibile.

Citazioni

Troi: And, computer, I would like a real Chocolate sundae.
Computer: Define 'real' in context, please.
Troi: 'Real', not one of your perfectly synthesized and geniously enhanced imitations. I would like real chocolate ice cream with real whipped cream.

Goss: I am DaiMon Goss. And these are my counsels Kole and Doctor Arridor. We'll need chairs.
Picard: I'm Captain Picard of the Enterprise. I am serving as host for these proceedings.
DaiMon Goss: Good. Then see to it we get some chairs.
Picard: Let me explain.
Goss: Fine, fine. Just have your Klingon servant get us some chairs.
Worf: I am in charge of security.
Goss: Then who gets the chairs?
Picard: DaiMon, due to the delicate nature of these negotiations, all parties have agreed that one representative will suffice. Now, I will be happy to provide your counsels with accommodations, and you may have my chair.

Bhavani: Here it is, ladies and gentlemen. The first and only stable wormhole known to exist. It's yours, for the right price.

Mendoza (a Riker): You must play poker, Commander.
Riker: Poker? Is that a game of some sort?
Picard: Commander Riker conducts master classes in poker.

Picard: Suspicions?
Riker: With the Ferengi around, always.

Beverly: You're unusually limber this morning.
Troi: I'll say. Devinoni Ral. It's ridiculous and wonderful. I feel completely out of control. Happy, terrified, but there's nothing rational about this.
Beverly: Who needs rational when your toes curl up.
Troi: I'm afraid I'm going to loose myself. I can't get enough of him. Is it possible to fall in love in one day?
Beverly: I did.
Troi: It was like this for you and Jack?
Beverly: No, it was another fellow. I fell in love in a day, it lasted a week. But what a week! Then I met Jack. Took months to figure it out with him.
Troi: Well then, maybe I should slow down, catch my breath, not let this thing get out of control.
Beverly e Troi: Nah!